The City of Austin is planting the seeds of the future. It is asking for help from the community on how this garden should grow.
Imagine Austin, a comprehensive two-year plan set forth by the City of Austin, wants to know how residents envision the city’s future. The City will use this public input to guide the growth, spending, and conservation of resources that Austin faces in the next few years.
“The comprehensive plan is one of the biggest tools we have to shape Austin's future, and … [Read more...]

Hispanic students account for approximately half of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) population, and about half of these students are English Language Learners (ELLs) that come from Spanish-speaking households. "As the fastest growing population in AISD, it is important that we help them succeed," said Sylvia Acevedo, event founder, former rocket scientist, ex-Dell executive, and CEO of Communicard.
It is important to stress the value of getting an advanced education and … [Read more...]

When Feria Para Aprender (The Learning Fair) takes place next month, it will not only be the state’s largest Spanish language educational event, but it will set a one-day record in Texas for the most number of educational books given away.
More than 18,500 books will be given away free at this year’s event, which is expanding to a larger regional venue at the Travis County Expo on Saturday, February 6.
The Feria centralizes nonprofit and college resources to help Spanish speaking parents … [Read more...]

By Vicky Garza
The Austin Times Staff
Beverly Silas hopes to be a part of a transportation transformation in Austin. Sworn in last week as the Travis County Representative on the Capital Metro Board, Silas is a visionary and a leader who brings to the board “a sense of community needed for decisions to be more transparent and communicated on a greater scale”, her knowledge of transportation issues, and over three decades of experience in public affairs and public relations, which can be used … [Read more...]

By Vicky Garza
The Austin Times Staff
This New Year’s, Austinites not only bid farewell to 2009, but to texting while driving as well. As of January 1, 2010, drivers are only allowed to use their cell phones for making and receiving phone calls while operating a moving vehicle. Drivers have a 30-day grace period to adjust to the law, during which time Austin Police Department officers will be stopping and issuing warnings to suspected offenders.
According to APD Commander Steve Baker, as … [Read more...]

By Katie Warner
The Austin Times Staff
According to a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal, Austin was ranked as the fifth hottest, hippest destination for highly mobile, educated workers in their 20s. One of the factors why Austin was chosen by many young professionals was the abundance of nonprofits in the city, and the influence it has had. According to Greenlights for NonProfit Success, Austin has more nonprofits per capita than any other city in the southwestern U.S. Over the next … [Read more...]

By Beth Cortez-Neavel
The Austin Times Staff
Along East Cesar Chavez Street on the front of a blue-gray one-story
house there are three signs hanging. Next to a muffler shop and across
from a small hair salon, this house looks nothing out of the ordinary
for East Austin.
“¡Si Se Puede! Feed. Teach. House & Employ.” “Protect our
children/relocate Pure Casting/build affordable housing!” and “PODER’s
Young Scholars for Justice” the signs read.
This is the home base for the People … [Read more...]